Emby Android version on Fire TV

[dejawu 2]

This has probably been responded a 100 times before, but still going to ask...

I paid a one time unlock fee of $4.89 to get the Emby for Fire TV app. I recently started getting a notification that the Emby for Android TV app works on Fire Stick. When I install that app though, I don't get an option to pay for unlock. I am redirected to some Emby Premier prompt (a server that I don't own) or to Play for a minute?

I understand why the Emby team did what they did, but why can't they just make the Emby for Fire TV app competent enough OR give an option to unlock the Emby for Android TV. So so frustrating for the end user.

[Luke 42077]

Hi, we work very hard on Emby and we thank you for your support.

[dejawu 2]

Yeah totally understand and get that Luke. I am guessing you are saying that you don't plan on having a one time unlock for Emby for Android TV in Fire Stick?

[Luke 42077]

@ebris the best person to respond to that. Thanks.

[dejawu 2]

Will lookout for that response from @ebrthen. Thanks @Luke

[ebr 16169]

Hi.  We changed the policy to five free TV devices without Premiere a while back.  For households running a server, this is often enough.  If you are using someone else's server, then they will need to subscribe to Premiere.

 

[dejawu 2]

I feel Emby is leaving money on the table here. I'd pay a one time unlock fee for the Android app in a heartbeat. When using someones server, I don't have that option to request them to buy a premier license. Ends up being their choice . Also find it unfair that you made such a slick version for Android but the Fire Stick version (while works) is not up to Android standards, I am sure you'd agree 

Edited November 15, 2025 by dejawu

[ebr 16169]

4 minutes ago, dejawu said:

Also find it unfair that you made such a slick version for Android but the Fire Stick version (while works) is not up to Android standards

Hi.  The exact same app runs on both platforms...

[Luke 42077]

On 11/15/2025 at 9:58 AM, dejawu said:

Also find it unfair that you made such a slick version for Android but the Fire Stick version (while works) is not up to Android standards, I am sure you'd agree 

@dejawu

Hi.  Can you try searching for our standard android app (Just "Emby" on Amazon and "Emby for Android on Google) on the same device's app store and see how that compares?

Thanks.

 

[dejawu 2]

On 11/15/2025 at 10:03 AM, ebr said:

Hi.  The exact same app runs on both platforms...

Yes. To be clear, on Amazon, I have two options... "Emby for Fire TV" and just "Emby". The Emby for Fire TV works, just not as great as Emby. That is what I am referring to as the Android version - which doesn't have any one time unlock option 

[Luke 42077]

14 hours ago, dejawu said:

Yes. To be clear, on Amazon, I have two options... "Emby for Fire TV" and just "Emby". The Emby for Fire TV works, just not as great as Emby. That is what I am referring to as the Android version - which doesn't have any one time unlock option 

Hi, the one called Emby is the one we recommend using.

[dejawu 2]

23 minutes ago, Luke said:

Hi, the one called Emby is the one we recommend using.

Yeah, I prefer using that too. But it doesn't have a one-time unlock and rather has a server side Emby premier licensing requirement. That is unfortunately out of my control. It'd be nice if the Emby team could consider introducing a one-time unlock process for Emby.

[ebr 16169]

4 hours ago, dejawu said:

Yeah, I prefer using that too. But it doesn't have a one-time unlock and rather has a server side Emby premier licensing requirement. That is unfortunately out of my control. It'd be nice if the Emby team could consider introducing a one-time unlock process for Emby.

Who owns the server you are using?  Presumably it is family or close friend.  If they have provided you access won't they consider Premiere for better features?

[dejawu 2]

23 hours ago, ebr said:

Who owns the server you are using?  Presumably it is family or close friend.  If they have provided you access won't they consider Premiere for better features?

Yes, a close friend provided access; and he was kind enough to provide access. Not comfortable asking them to purchase a license; would be nice instead if you provided a one time unlock on the Android app or at least offer feature parity on the Fire TV app.

[ebr 16169]

Hi.  I'm afraid we don't have any plans to go back to the app unlock as it was just making it too easy for illegal streamers to skirt the device limits.